“The project will help to form a much needed critical safety net for abused women and children, especially migrant women who have ‘no recourse to public funds’. In these unprecedented times, no vulnerable group should be excluded from support and protection. We hope that the VAWG model of support that we are developing will be replicated around the country and that local authorities, with support from the government, will do the right thing by underwriting the costs needed to meet its human rights obligations to keep all women and children safe and protected, irrespective of their immigration status.“ Pragna Patel Director, Southall Black Sisters
We are pleased to launch The Covid-19 Crisis Project offering safe crisis accommodation with specialist support to women and children fleeing domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), across London during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This project, part of a wider MOPAC programme, is supported by MOPAC and the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, a partnership, led by Solace Women’s Aid, with support for women with no recourse to public funds, coordinated by Southall Black Sisters, and support provided by specialist VAWG organisations.
The project will provide crisis accommodation for three months and will enable women to flee domestic abuse/ VAWG during the Covid-19 pandemic. This will provide extra capacity to help women safely flee at a time when refuge, and other crisis accommodation, are overstretched and unable to meet the increased demand for spaces. There will be vital resettlement support provided to women to move onto appropriate accommodation at the end of the crisis period.
“We saw a 49 per cent rise in calls to our London Advice Line the week before lockdown and since then have been working with a growing number of women who have managed to leave their abuser, all of whom have been considered at high risk of further harm.
“Never has the need for safe accommodation been greater and we are relieved to be able to deliver this ground-breaking model of support at a time of crisis for women and children in London. Solace also brings to the project, vital counselling and a package of critical welfare support.”
The referrals line is open Monday – Friday 10.00 – 4.00pm.
Call: 0808 801 0650 or email: [email protected]
Southall Black Sisters
Pragna Patel 07985399740
Janaya Walker 07947304221
[email protected]
Solace Women’s Aid
Website: www.solacewomensaid.org
Twitter: @SolaceWomensAid
Facebook:/SolaceWomensAid
Southall Black Sisters is one of the UK’s leading women’s organisations for black and minority ethnic (BME) women. Established in 1979 we went on to set up an advice, resource, campaigning and advocacy centre with a particular focus on South Asian women. Whilst based in West London, we have a national reach. Our work by its very nature addresses issues of multiple or intersectional discrimination, involving the simultaneous experience of race, sex and other forms of discrimination. The bulk of our work is directed at assisting women and children – the overwhelming victims of domestic and other forms of gender-related violence – obtain effective protection and assert their fundamental human rights.
SOLACE WOMEN’S AID is the leading specialist charity in London supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. Whatever form violence comes in, from rape to trafficking to relationships based on psychological or financial control, we work to end it. We know that escaping the effects of violence can be the hardest thing to ever do. That’s why the lifesaving support that Solace provides to more than 22,000 women, children and young people in London each year is so important.
Southall Black Sisters is one of the UK’s leading women’s organisations for black and minority ethnic (BME) women. Established in 1979 we went on to set up an advice, resource, campaigning and advocacy centre with a particular focus on South Asian women. Whilst based in West London, we have a national reach. Our work by its very nature addresses issues of multiple or intersectional discrimination, involving the simultaneous experience of race, sex and other forms of discrimination. The bulk of our work is directed at assisting women and children – the overwhelming victims of domestic and other forms of gender-related violence – obtain effective protection and assert their fundamental human rights.
Compassion in Politics Compassion in Politics is a cross-party organisation working to put compassion, cooperation, and inclusion at the heart of politics: www.compassioninpolitics.com.
You can find out more about our campaign for emergency accommodation for women and children escaping abuse here